new interview I found, sounds like Cro Cop's ready to hang it up...
Its obvious you're far from a champion form?
- Maybe those who say I'm for the old metal scrap yard are right. Its obvious I cant break the psychological barrier in the octagon. In addition there is 20 years of spartanic training behind me, its come to some fatigue. Years have caught up to me, "I'm eaten by saturation" (hes a bit fed up).
What exactly happened at the stoppage in the 3rd round?
- Dos Santos hit me with his fist in the eye and slashed my eyelid. Blood and sweat completely blurred my field of sight, I stood like a blind man in the cage. In one moment at the end of the fight I confused the referee and the opponent. Later on it was revealed that the inside from my eyelid broke from the punch. In the locker room I got four stitches.
Did you on surrender on your own or was it the referees initiative?
- No, I didnt give up, nor did I ask the referee to stop it. It was his call.
Did the refree stop the fight prematurely?
- It dosnt matter, I would have lost on points regardless.
Did Dos Santos surprise you with his aggressiveness and strength?
- Simply, hes younger, hungrier, more motivated. He wanted to win more.
The blood on Santos face shows that you were not completely harmless?
I broke his arcade (?), several times I hit well, but overall speaking, it was my failure.
Where did that lethal HK vanish?
The surface was slippery as glass. A couple of times I almost landed on my butt trying to do the high-kick.
However, thats no alibi. That was not a performance people would buy tickets for.
So what did hinder you in Dallas?
The hunger for wining is missing. I became a "ziheras" (someone who only does safe things. dose not take risks) , I'm not wiling to risk anymore. I thank everyone who supported me, all who cheered for me and everyone who helped me to prepare for a duel against Dos Santos. I'm sorry I have disappointed them.
These sound like farewell words from ultimate fighting?
For two decades, I feel like I'm on military time. Every morning I get up at 6 and I dont stop with sport activities till night.
I'm wishing for some civilian life. I enter the cage, and I'm thinking of fishing in Privlaca. You cant win that way.
(Was this) your last fight in your career?
- Maybe I should have said my goodbyes in 2006, after I won the Pride Grand Prix ...
